You've heard about facelifts and buccal fat-removal surgery, which can be invasive. But there's a safer and, well, a bit more relaxing alternative—buccal massage.
I first heard about it when the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, started grabbing headlines after her relationship with Prince Harry became public. Every detail about her was published, including the fact that she was a regular client of British facialist Nichola Joss, known for her "inner facial." In a 2014 interview with Birchbox, Meghan shared, "I do facial exercises from one of my favourite aestheticians, Nichola Joss, who basically has you sculpt your face from the inside out. I swear it works, as silly as you may feel. On the days I do it, my cheekbones and jawline are waaaay more sculpted. There’s a reason she is in high demand around awards season when every actress wants to look A-plus."
The results do look worth it—if you’re okay with the aesthetician’s fingers going inside your mouth to massage the insides! It's in demand but few offer it though it has a cult following in cities like New York and London.
What Is Buccal Massage
It is also known as the “inner facial,” or “mouth massage”, and it involves using a special massage technique for the face, jawline and yes, even inside the mouth. The intraoral aspect of this massage makes it unique, as the therapist will massage the inside of the client’s mouth with gloved hands. The aim is to get a well-contoured cheekbones and jawline. “A buccal massage is a treatment that focuses on the buccal pad—a pouch of fat tissue that sits between the cheekbone and jaw. The massage releases tightness within the facial muscles surrounding the pad and manually drains lymphatic fluid to give a temporarily more contoured and chiselled appearance,” states Byrdie.
What Are the Benefits of Buccal Massages?
Buccal massages combine muscle relaxation techniques with lymphatic drainage, creating a visible distinction between cheekbones and the jawline, giving the face a naturally contoured look.
- Relaxed facial muscles
- Lifted and sculpted appearance
- Enhanced blood circulation, leading to brighter-looking skin
- Relief from emotional stress